Chapter one

Nine years later

"Wake up sleepyhead!"

The curtains were pushed open and sunlight was pouring into the room. "Come on Hales, wake up!" Nothing. The room was so silent he could hear himself breathing. He finally pulled the blanket from the sleeping form on the four-poster bed.

"Huh? Wah? Wah happened? Oh, its you! (yawn) Will you stop bugging me n get out of my room!" she checked her alarm clock on her bedside table. "Oh for god's sake, its only 7:30 Luke!! And to top it all of, it's a Saturday, you moron!"

Luke chuckled. He was used to Haley being cranky in the morning. She was flat on her stomach and she put a pillow over her head to block out the sun. Luke had a good view of her bottom and didn't realize he was staring until Haley complained, "Can you please shut the curtains! Someone in here's trying to sleep!" came the muffled cry. Why am I checking out Haley's ass? Must've forgot it was her for a second there.

He shrugged and sat on her bed. "Get up Haley. You promised you'd help me with the bug thing for biology next week. You know I don't know anything about bugs, so you gotta help me. And besides, you were the one that said we had a better chance at getting the bugs early in the morning." Lucas tried to reason with her. He heard a sigh from under the pillow and knew she was about to give in. He was smiling when he said "Don't forget you owe me one Hales! You wouldn't have made it to school last Monday if I didn't come to rescue you from Mrs. Johnson's dog." he said.

"Oh, alright already. You don't have to rub it in! You know im scared of dogs and that was one heluva dog! It chased me around the block and up the tree!" she exclaimed. Haley sat up and smiled sleepily at Lucas.

Then she suddenly threw a pillow at him and it hit him right smack in the face. "That was for pulling the covers and letting that blasted sun in!"

"Ok we're even." Lucas laughed. "Can you hurry up so we can get this over with."

She stood up and started to pull her shirt off to change when she noticed Lucas staring at her. "What?" she said.

"Nothing. Just hurry up and change. Uh, I'll wait for you downstairs." He said as he left the room, but not before he saw a glimpse of Haley unzipping her PJ's. What is wrong with you Scott? First you check out her ass, then you get all sweaty when you see her dressing. I mean, come on man, get a grip. Its Haley, you idiot! he thought as he was making his way down the stairs. Not that he could blame himself though. She sure has changed in the last couple of years. He couldn't help but notice how she was a little taller and slimmer now, how her hair had grown a little longer, how she could distract him while they were playing basketball just because she was bumping into him a little. Woah, hold on a second! What am I doing! This is getting a little weird so I should stop now.. He decided not to let it bother him.

Keep it cool Luke! This is Hales were talking about! Haley's the girl-next-door type. She always wears her hair up in a ponytail. She's been a straight-A student since she could remember. She always plays it safe. Never taking risks. Never breaking rules. O'l Reliable Haley, Luke thought.

Meanwhile, back in her room Haley did some thinking of her own. Luke sure is acting strange lately. Wonder what's eating at him. She finished dressing and went down for breakfast. "Hey Luke, ready to go?" she said after having a bite of her toast. "Yeah, come on." They both stepped outside and headed for the park, hoping to catch some bugs for Luke's project next week...

And that's how its been since the two "bumped into each other" nine years ago at the park.. They've been best friends ever since the whole "bike incident". Haley was this tough, smart girl whom he could talk to when he needed to be with someone who made sense. Lucas was this funny, dorky kind of guy who always made her laugh and was always there when she needed him.

As the two walked side by side, Haley stole a glance at Luke. "Wow Luke, I never noticed you were so big. When did this all happen? Did my best friend grow overnight? What have you been up to lately?" A lot of working out, I presume, Haley thought. Lucas just laughed. Then she remembered he had joined the basketball team a few months ago.

"Practice gets harder every week, Hales. Plus coach said we needed to go to the gym three times a week for weights and stuff. Glad you finally noticed my bulging muscles and perfect physique!" he said grinning. She slapped his arm and laughed. Where is the Luke I know with the big glasses and the goofy look on his face? He's really changed. Not that Im complaining... Cute butt, Luke. Woah, where did that come from?, she asked herself and glanced at Lucas' back.

"Come on Hales! I'll race yah to the park!" he shouted as he made a run for the swings. "Why you little...!!! No fair!" she laughed as she chased after him.